| "> | | | | - Labor |
| Don't sweat the details? Hey, not good advice | | | | Well-built panels can allow you to hire fewer and |
| when it comes to framing your home. | | | | potentially less skilled framers. You will pay more |
| Your home's framing structure dictates the quality | | | | for the lumber (as panels) because of the fact |
| and strength of your final product. You'll want to | | | | you're purchasing labor as well. However, much of |
| pay close attention to every detail. But, there's | | | | that labor is assembly line type work and |
| more than one way to build a quality frame. | | | | inexpensive. |
| Your Major Home Framing Choices and Their | | | | 4) Structural Insulated Panels or SIPs: |
| Advantages | | | | - Materials |
| Before you have your blueprints drawn, you need | | | | These panels will cost more than traditional panels |
| to choose the framing method. This is vital | | | | but they save in other areas. For one, the |
| because the material choice and engineering work | | | | insulation is already part of the wall, therefore |
| depend upon it. All good blueprints identify and list | | | | does not have to be added. They may also |
| these materials. | | | | provide a more energy efficient home, saving in |
| 1) Traditional wood/stick framing: | | | | energy bills giving you a better life-time value. |
| - Materials | | | | - Labor |
| Wood stud framing is probably the least | | | | Labor can be an issue depending upon availability |
| expensive of the choices you can make. The | | | | of experienced SIP construction contractors. |
| availability of product is usually the greatest. This | | | | Always check with your local trade contractors |
| is especially true if you're buying un-assembled | | | | before you have your architect design your home |
| product (not pre-nailed panels.) | | | | with SIP panels. |
| - Labor | | | | 5) Insulating Concrete Forms or ICFs: |
| With wood stick framing, you are dealing with the | | | | - Materials |
| most common materials used in the USA, Canada | | | | The materials involved with ICFs are foam blocks, |
| and most of Australia. This makes finding | | | | cement, and steel (rebar.) They can be used for |
| experienced labor easy. | | | | basements and walls. Thermal mass provided by |
| 2) Site built steel framing: | | | | the cement can help with the heating and cooling |
| - Materials | | | | of your home. |
| Steel framing can be more eco-friendly with its | | | | - Labor |
| longevity and its proclivity for effective recycling. | | | | This, like SIPs, can be a do it yourself project but |
| The cost is not much different than wood, it is | | | | you truly will need direction and help. Many ICF |
| straighter and more uniform, and it's lighter | | | | suppliers will "train" you to a degree. Be careful |
| weight. | | | | designing with ICFs if you cannot find experienced |
| - Labor | | | | contractors and if you aren't comfortable doing it |
| Finding labor for steel framed homes is getting | | | | yourself. |
| easier. If you're a do-it-yourselfer that is used to | | | | What's Your Number One Goal? |
| working with wood stick framing, you should be | | | | Your choice will be dependent upon your |
| aware that the process requires some different | | | | approach. Are you a do-it-yourself builder? Are |
| skills. | | | | you interested in speed? Do you want the highest |
| 3) Panelized steel or wood framing: | | | | energy efficiency? Asking the right questions will |
| - Materials | | | | narrow your choices and get you what you want. |
| Panelized wall systems reduce the amount of | | | | Balance everything together, make your choice, |
| labor you have to pay for, or do on site. The | | | | and stick with it. Once your approach is built in to |
| price of labor is built in to the panels you buy. | | | | your blueprints, resist making major changes. |
| These panels save you time and money on the | | | | Will you live in the home for years? Choose what |
| building site. | | | | makes the best long term sense for you. |